Equinox Boston Open Preview: No Expectations For Top Seed Binnie

The Equinox Sports Club in Boston plays host to the Equinox Boston Open this week on the Challenger Tour, with the Challenger 10 level tournament taking place from Thursday 30 September to Sunday 3 October.

The event is fully international, with the 24-strong men’s field featuring 12 different nationalities from five continents. The Canadian quartet of David Baillargeon, Michael McCue, Shawn DeLierre and Nick Sachvie will all be amongst the top eight seeds.

Also in that group will be the Malaysian duo of Mohammad Syafiq Kamal and Addeen Idrakie, along with England’s Sam Todd, while the likes of Botswana, Egypt, South Africa and Colombia will all be represented in the event.

Jamaican No.1 Christopher Binnie will be the top seed for the tournament, with the World No.76 featuring on Tour for only the fifth time in 2021. He admits that it could take a while until he is back to his best.

“With regards to form, I have been just trying to get back into things. It was a long break from squash with COVID and I am trying to work out the game again,” the Jamaican admitted.

“It will be a process and hopefully I will start to hit my stride in the next few months. Just want to work on little things and hopefully it comes together sooner rather than later.”

Despite being the top seed for the Challenger level 10 tournament in Boston, Binnie admits that he is not expecting anything big from himself over the course of the week.

“I have no expectations for the event. Hope to win a match or two and see how it goes from there. If I get through the tournament injury free and able to play the way I aim to, then I’ll be happy. Let’s see how it goes,” he explained.

“Just very happy and grateful to be competing again and hopefully will continue to improve as the year goes on.”

The event takes place from Thursday 30 September to Sunday 3 October at the Equinox Sports Club in Boston, where Christopher Binnie is the top seed for the tournament. Follow the PSA Challenger Tour on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates from the event.

Action from Boston will be streamed throughout the week on the SZK Squash YouTube channel, with play starting on Thursday evening.

First Round Draw: Equinox Boston Open
[1] Christopher Binnie (JAM) – [Bye]
Marwan Tarek (EGY) v [9/16] Cameron Seth (CAN)
[9/16] Mark Broekman (ENG) v Jamie Ruggiero (USA)
[5] Shawn DeLierre (CAN) – [Bye]
[7] Addeen Idrakie (MAS) – [Bye]
Mohamed Nabil (EGY) v [9/16] Connor Turk (CAN)
[9/16] Joeri Hapers (BEL) v [WC] Hamza Khan (PAK)
[3] Mohammad Syafiq Kamal (MAS) – [Bye]
[4] Michael McCue (CAN) – [Bye]
Alister Walker (BOT) v [9/16] Jean-Pierre Brits (RSA)
[9/16] Ronal Palomino (COL) v [WC] George Crowne (CAN)
[6] Sam Todd (ENG) – [Bye]
[8] Nick Sachvie (CAN) – [Bye]
[WC] Josue Gomez (MEX) v [9/16] Edgar Ramirez Bautista (COL)
[9/16] Ahsan Ayaz (PAK) v Cory McCartney (CAN)
[2] David Baillargeon (CAN) – [Bye]